Top 11 Red Flags: Top 11 Red Flags: Things to consider for Things to consider for

before rentingbefore renting

1.) Is the Landlord on Time?1.) Is the Landlord on Time?

The behavior of the potential The behavior of the potential landlord at your first meeting is a landlord at your first meeting is a precursor to how they will act in the precursor to how they will act in the future. If they are irresponsible in future. If they are irresponsible in regards to your first meeting, they regards to your first meeting, they will probably be irresponsible during will probably be irresponsible during your tenancy.your tenancy.

2.) Is there a lease already written 2.) Is there a lease already written that you can review?that you can review?

Read things thoroughly before you Read things thoroughly before you sign them. Take a copy of the lease sign them. Take a copy of the lease and look over it before you enter into and look over it before you enter into a binding contract.a binding contract.

3.)Do all the lights and water work?3.)Do all the lights and water work?

Don’t be embarrassed about checking Don’t be embarrassed about checking everything as you walk through the everything as you walk through the apartment or house. You’re going to be apartment or house. You’re going to be living there, and you deserve to have living there, and you deserve to have things working properly! So, flick all the things working properly! So, flick all the lights on and off. Turn on all faucets lights on and off. Turn on all faucets and showers. Take note of how long it and showers. Take note of how long it takes to get some hot water…(that will takes to get some hot water…(that will be important on cold Tacoma be important on cold Tacoma mornings)mornings)

4.) What kind of heat is used?4.) What kind of heat is used?

There are many kinds of heat: gas, There are many kinds of heat: gas, electric, oil, etc. It’s a good idea to electric, oil, etc. It’s a good idea to know what kind the apartment uses know what kind the apartment uses because that will give you a good because that will give you a good idea as to how much you’ll be paying idea as to how much you’ll be paying for it. Also, make sure it works for it. Also, make sure it works before those winter months come before those winter months come around!around!

5.) Who pays utilities and how?5.) Who pays utilities and how?

Ask the landlord how they want to Ask the landlord how they want to work the payment of utilities. work the payment of utilities. Sometimes they want the bill in your Sometimes they want the bill in your name, other times, it’s in theirs. If name, other times, it’s in theirs. If it’s in their name, ask to see a copy it’s in their name, ask to see a copy of the bill every month to ensure that of the bill every month to ensure that they are not overcharging you. Don’t they are not overcharging you. Don’t just take their word for it.just take their word for it.

6.) Are there any obvious damages 6.) Are there any obvious damages that the landlord “promises” to fix?that the landlord “promises” to fix?

It’s generally not a good idea to sign It’s generally not a good idea to sign a lease if the unit has major a lease if the unit has major damages. After you’ve signed it, damages. After you’ve signed it, there isn’t a lot of incentive for them there isn’t a lot of incentive for them to fix those damages. Make sure to fix those damages. Make sure everything is in working order before everything is in working order before you commit to a place that is you commit to a place that is potentially unlivable. potentially unlivable.

7.) Know what’s involved with a 7.) Know what’s involved with a credit check.credit check.

Your landlord has the right to do a Your landlord has the right to do a credit check. However, it’s in your credit check. However, it’s in your best interest to know what is involved best interest to know what is involved with that. There are some things that with that. There are some things that a landlord can NOT ask you. Know a landlord can NOT ask you. Know what these things are, and be wary of what these things are, and be wary of a landlord that insists on knowing a landlord that insists on knowing them. (These include things such as them. (These include things such as race, sexual orientation, etc.)race, sexual orientation, etc.)

8.) Is it clean?8.) Is it clean?

If the unit is not clean when the If the unit is not clean when the landlord is trying to lease it, then landlord is trying to lease it, then odds are, they aren’t going to keep it odds are, they aren’t going to keep it clean after that. Again, make sure clean after that. Again, make sure the unit is livable before you commit the unit is livable before you commit yourself to it. You have a right to live yourself to it. You have a right to live in a decent space.in a decent space.

Also, know what is your responsibility Also, know what is your responsibility to clean, and what is their to clean, and what is their responsibility to clean.responsibility to clean.

9.) What is refundable?9.) What is refundable?

Make sure that everyone involved is Make sure that everyone involved is clear about what fees and deposits clear about what fees and deposits are refundable at the end of the are refundable at the end of the leasing period. Credit history fees leasing period. Credit history fees are usually not, but cleaning deposits are usually not, but cleaning deposits usually are (but only if you keep it usually are (but only if you keep it clean). Make sure you know what clean). Make sure you know what you’re supposed to be getting back.you’re supposed to be getting back.

10.) Do the locks work?10.) Do the locks work?

It’s not safe to live in a place with a It’s not safe to live in a place with a broken lock! Don’t be shy about broken lock! Don’t be shy about checking all outside doors to make checking all outside doors to make sure that they can’t be broken into. sure that they can’t be broken into. This is the law and it’s also a safety This is the law and it’s also a safety issue. issue.

11.) Ask about subletting 11.) Ask about subletting agreementsagreements

Occasionally a landlord will not want Occasionally a landlord will not want you to sublet to a friend. It is you to sublet to a friend. It is important to ask what their important to ask what their requirements are for this requirements are for this circumstance. Every landlord is circumstance. Every landlord is different and you don’t want to make different and you don’t want to make them angry.them angry.